Introduction

We received a SARE farmer grant from the USDA to research ways to select queen bees for mite tolerance. We tested a method for mite tolerance selection developed by the Carl Hayden Bee Research Lab. Our goal was to use the Alcohol Wash Assay and the Freeze Killed Brood Assay together in a selection program, comparing two different honey bee lines. We hoped to show that the tests helped indicate candidate queens suitable for breeding mite tolerance. We ran into some snags with weather and stock suitability, eventually only testing using the AWA. SARE Grant FNE08-631 Final Report.

How We Did It

We ran the assay in 2009: a year with heavy mite-load and generally poor nectar flow. Sampling three times, we collected data on mite percentages for twenty colonies. Pictures of the assay are to the right, performed step by step.(Right click on the picture to expand it).

Results

We obtained useful results from the assay. Several of the 20 colonies had acceptably low mite percentages and two were also excellent choices for breeder queens. This assay is valuable when run as one of many selection tests--if one has a candidate pool that yields and handles well, and also has a low mite percentage based on this test, one may be very sure that the candidates will be good breeders. Graph of data.

Acknowledgments

This research was conducted with funding from the USDA SARE Program, Northeast SARE. We are gratefull to have received support. Thank you. We would also like to thank our technical advisor, and the researchers we contacted who answered questions and provided helpful input.

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